Sliding and rotating attached closure for tooth paste tubes



pll 24 1951 F. G. sElBl-:L

SLIDING AND ROTATING ATTACHED CLOSUR FR TOOTH PASTE TUBES Filed Dec. 9,

Gttomieg Patented Apr. k24, l1951 y sLIDiNG AND ROTATING ATTACHED f i oLosURE FOR TOOTH PASTE TUBES e Frank G. Seibel, Claremont, Calif'. Application December 9, 1947, serial No. 790,447

VVThisk invention pertainsfto ksliding and rotating attached closures for tooth paste tubes, or the Y like, and has for its objects,

First, theprovision of a tooth paste tube' closing device which will function to close or open the tube `without being detached;

Second, the provision of a tooth paste tube closing device, which has a slidable and rotatable plug with shearing surfaces adapted to cleanly shut offilow of paste from the tube to prevent hardening in, or clogging of the passageways;

Third, a tooth' paste closing device which has a plug longitudinally slidable in a'boss formed at the end of the tube arranged to open a hole formed in the side ofthe tube 4when the. plug is partially withdrawn, to close` said plug when the plug isjforced inward, and to lockV in closed position by a partial rotation of theplug.

Other objects include the arrangement of the above mentioned parts so that the flow of paste is direct and not tortuous, and so that on each closure the paste is moved away from the delivery orice to prevent drying or clogging, and provide a definite agitation of paste adjacent the delivery orice during each opening or closing movement; and

Still another object is to provide a closure, as above stated, which can be made easily and ycheaply, which is easily assembled, and which is easy and positive in its operation. Other objects will appear hereinafter.

I4 attain the foregoing objects bymeans of the devices shown in the accompanying drawing in which- I l Figure 1 is a frontal side elevation of the top of the upper portion of a tooth paste tubeshow- Figure 6, a section taken on line 6 6, Figure 1, showing the relation of the plug and boss when these parts are in closed position as in Figure 1;

Figure '7, a similar sectional view with theV plug moved to lunlocking position, as also shown' 2 claim. (o1. 22g- 92) 2 in Figure 2 and Figure 8, a section taken on line 8,-8, Figuren, with the plug extended to open position. y I

Similar numerals refer to similar parts in the several views. p

The tube 2 is made with: a tubular boss 3 centrally positioned on its closed end into which closing plug 4 isfitted.

The lower portion of plug 4 is cylindrical and issized to lit into boss3 witha free but fairly tight working` t. This cylindrical portion is free to slide in and out, axially, as well as to rotate. At the top of this cylindrical `portion 4 there is a knurled disc 1, which forms a gripping knob. These two portions are made integral from onev piece of material.

A square hole Ill is formed in the side of boss 3. A diametrically extending notch I2 is formed on the inner face of plug portion 6. It is `sized to register with hole I0 when the plug is moved to the proper rotative and axial position.

At diametrically opposite positions on each side of plug portion 6 inverted L-shaped grooves I4 are formed.

Boss forming indentations I6 are pressed into the outer wall sides of boss 3 to form inwardly extending retaining bosses Il on its interior. These are positioned and spaced relative to grooves I4, and, in turn, relative to delivery hole I0 so that plug 4 will be held with one end of notch i2 alined to register with hole lil during the inner sliding motion of plug 4, and so that when the plug is slid out to the limit of travel of bosses I1 in the vertical portions of grooves I4, one end of notch I2 is fully in register with hole I Il. The horizontal arms of grooves Ir are positioned so that, when the plug is fully inserted, with notch I2 below the plane of hole It, the plug can be rotated ,with bosses Il sliding horizontally in the"V horizontal portions of grooves I4. This provides a lock to prevent the plug from being pulled out from closed position, or from being forced out by compression of substance in the tube.

The parts are assembled as shown particularlyrv in Figure 5. The tube is made from metal or `other suitable material in the usual manner.

The tube neck or boss 3 is then punched to form hole I0. The plug 4, formed preferably of plastic, is then inserted inthe boss and indentations provide effective means for permanently holding the plug in place.

When it is desired to remove paste from the Y tube, plug 4 is rst rotated counter-clockwise as is withdrawn as indicated by the arrow, Figure 4. These two simple motions unlock the plug and open the discharge hole l0. After paste has been used, as desired, the hole is closed rst, by sliding the plug inward and then, by turning it clockwise to lock it in closed position.

While I have specified certain materials and certain uses, I intend that these are exemplary only, and point out that manydiierent materials may be used, and also, that the specific structure mentioned may be substantially modied and still remain within the spirit and intentions of the invention. toothpaste is contained in tube 2, itis obvious that any other substance of substantially equivalent consistency may be contained by the tube and dispensed through my, above described, closing device.

In view of the foregoing, I wish to be limited only by the following claims.

I claim:

1. A closing device for toothpaste tubes comprising a tubular boss formed on the closedend thereof having a peripheral discharge hole; a closing plug axially and rotatably operative therein, inverted L-shaped grooves positionedl diametrically opposite formed on the periphery of said plug, and a diametrically extending notch cut in the inner face thereof; and inwardly extending retaining bosses formed on the inner faces of the walls of said tubular boss, adapted to `operatively engage in said L-shaped pluggrooves, and positioned to retain said plug in fully inserted closed position by partial rotation of said plug in said boss, and to guide said plug when it is withdrawn so that said plug notch is maintained with an end in registering alignment with said discharge hole, and to limit outward While I have indicated thatY axial movement of said plug when said notch is fully in register with said discharge opening.

2. A closing device for toothpaste tubes, or the like, comprising, in combination, a collapsible tube having a closed end, a tubular boss opening from said tube and formed on said closed end; a peripheral discharge hole formed in said boss; a closing plug having a knob at its outer end and a cylindrical inner portion rotatable and axially slidable in said tubular boss; a diametrical notch formed on the inner face of said plug, and diametrically opposite L-shaped grooves formed on the sides of said plug, with the horizontal portions thereof adjacent the outer endy of said plug; and inwardly extending retaining bosses on the inner walls of said tube formed by radial indentations on the outer walls of said tubular boss posi- REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 270,685 McConnell Jan. 16, 1883 318,637 Marshall May 26, 1885 1,862,973 McDonald June 14, 1932 1,993,043 VSpickard Nov. 5, 1935 2,055,819 Georger Sept. 29, 1936 

